Mathematics Department staff and students were involved during the past academic year in various recruitment activities. Faculty members, academic advisors, and math majors participated in University-sponsored events that provided prospective students and their parents with opportunities to meet one-on-one with faculty and students (Golden Honors) and to visit first and second year math classes (Purdue Preview).
In addition to these contacts with prospective students visiting the campus, several new outreach activities were organized by Professor Jim McClure, chair of the department's new Recruitment Committee. In January and March, undergraduate math majors phoned high school students who had been admitted to Purdue, but who were still undecided about what college to attend. Department Head Leonard Lipshitz wrote letters to 167 high school students and included a free Math Department T-shirt offer, to which many students responded. During National Math Awareness Week, April 23-29, the department sponsored two nontechnical talks, advertising them both on and off campus to attract Purdue students, high school students, and area high school teachers. (See Pollard Lecture)
Professor McClure also collaborated with the Office of Publications to produce an informative and attractive brochure describing the various undergraduate math programs and math-related activities in which students can participate.
Finally, the Math Department hosted its first annual Career Night on March 27. Purdue and area high school students and teachers were invited to hear three successful alums talk about their careers and give their insights into the job market. (See Career Night)